Mohawk ready to defend its crown

A year after coming to regional as underdogs, Warriors are back, this time as a favorite

October 31, 2012

A year ago Mohawk came into the Division IV Elida Regional as an underdog, but left as regional champion. This year the Warriors are back, but as the favorites against a host of new challengers.

However, Mohawk coach Eric Hoover said there's no difference in being the hunter or the hunted, as his team gets set to face McComb in a regional semifinal.

"I don't look at it any differently and I don't think the girls do either," Hoover said. "Everyone at this point is going to be good no matter who you play. You're going to have to bring your best every game.

"I don't think McComb is looking at it that way. My girls didn't look at it that way last year as who was the champions the year before. We just went out and played our best against whoever we faced."

Still, Hoover thinks the experience of last year can be an asset to his team.

"I think that will help a little bit, especially early in the match," he said. "We've been in that gym, we used to play regular season games at Elida, so maybe we're a little more comfortable in the surroundings. Later in the match I think it can help that we have that experience, but after they get settled I think it will even out."

Mohawk comes into the match ranked ninth in the final state coaches poll with a 24-2 record. McComb was ranked 17th at 22-3.

When asked to describe the Panthers, one thing stuck out to Hoover: "They're very tall," he said.

McComb is led by 6-4 junior Hailey Huffman. The roster also includes a pair of 6-2 hitters in Briana Herr and Jenna Huffman, as well as two 5-11 hitters in Becca Leppelmeier and Emily Clymer.

"That's a lot of size to deal with for sure, but there's not a lot of times we go over top of the block," he said. "We go around the block and off the block. I don't think it'll be that big of an issue to deal with."

Also the competition level Mohawk has seen in Midland Athletic League play and throughout last year's tournament run, has prepared them to see that kind of size.

"We played against some good competition; we've seen size before," he said. "I don't know if we've seen anything like this size, but I think the girls will step up.

"We're hoping to use our athleticism at the net to try keep our offense going, and get around the blockers, making their blockers have to move."

Size might matter, but Hoover feels the back row players can play an even bigger role.

"I think it's the same keys to win any match, serve and serve-receive," he said. "We need to serve well to keep them out of their offense, and receive well to get into our offense.

"I feel good and confident in our serving ability and we got some good defenders. We're not just athletic at the net. We're quick and handle the ball well in the back row. We've won as many games with our defense as we did with our hitting."

McComb, as well as the two teams in the night's first match, Buckeye Central and Cardinal Stritch, are all trying to get to the place Mohawk was a year ago - state.

While they all have a hunger to get there, Mohawk got a taste of state last year, and Hoover says that taste was enough to drive them to get back.

"It's the same thing we felt in that district final, we know what it feels like to win and we want that again," Hoover said. "There's just that much more motivation, that's how I look at it anyways. It drives us even more."